Pastor Jay has held both permanent and interim positions around the country, and this is his ninth interim pastorate in eight states. A native Texan, he has a ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a PhD in Ethics and Society from Northwestern University. He served in the mission field for 10 years on the theological faculty of a Christian university in Central Java, Indonesia, where he helped train new pastors, teaching them the theological and social scientific tools to plant and grow new churches. “I consider my particular gifts to be helping congregations focus on and live God’s mission in their community and the world.” Pastor Jay is married and has three adult children.

Bill Wisnom began studying piano in 1991 with the late Nancy Marstellar in his hometown of Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania.  Having been influenced by great pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz, Sviatoslav Richter, and Arthur Rubinstein, Bill entered the Peabody Preparatory, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1993 where he continued piano studies with Carol Prochazka and Corey McVicar.  After having attended an organ recital, Bill abandoned his dream of becoming a concert pianist, and embarked upon a year-long apprenticeship with Leo Wanenchak, director of music at Central Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland.  The following year, Bill was accepted into the Eastman School of Music where he studied organ and sacred music.  After transferring to the Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore, Maryland, he earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in organ performance.  In June 2011, Bill was awarded by the American Guild of Organists, and in 2012, he made his debut with recitals at The National Cathedral, Washington, DC; The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC; Trinity Church, Boston; St. Thomas 5^th Avenue, New York City; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, and others.  Bill has earned prizes in the Westminster Choir College International Organ Competition, and the Dallas International Organ Competition.  Bill is thrilled to be a part of the ministry team at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church.  He lives with his cat “Much” in Baltimore, Maryland, and is a devotee of Norse literature and culture. 

Carolyn and her husband, Stuart, have been active members of GPC since 1998. Since then, she has served in many capacities—Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher and director, Bridges to Worship leader, church elder, lay leader, and coordinator for FourthNight children’s activities. Carolyn has a degree in Modern Society and Social Thought from the University of California at Santa Cruz and worked in retail for 14 years. She found her calling teaching preschool – first at Gaithersburg First Baptist Church for 2½ years and then at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Preschool & Kindergarten for the next 16 years. In 2017, she heeded God’s call to move to her current position. Carolyn and Stuart are the parents of an adult daughter.